2000 340...Transducer and Speed Indicators

[Nichole340]

On my 2000 340 my Depth Transducer and Speed Indicator haven't been removed for a few years, at least.
The Depth Transducer works fine and accurately, to within at least 1 foot below the keel.
The Speed Transducer is not in. Just the plug, as it is a constant fouling issue with the spinning wheel.

Has anyone used Transducer paint on the Speed Indicator Wheels without any issues in readings? Or just not using it at all?

Since I want to remove both before launching to clean some paint residue around the edges, do you use any grease on the O Rings, like Super Lube, Mar Lube etc?

 

[Rick486]

I have tried everything I could imagine to keep the speed wheel clean, except removing the sensor whenever the boat was not moving. Every season I remove the wheel from the plug, clean all the gunk out, paint the wheel with Petit transducer paint, and loving reinstall prior to launch. It works for a couple of weeks, then it fouls again and stops. I go through the routine each year, then learn to live with the GPS speed over the bottom. I have Raymarine electronics and without the speed input from the wheel, the apparent/true wind reading provides only apparent as the speed wheel is used to calculate true wind.
Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I have tried transducer paint on the paddlewheel and while it may have slowed fouling it didn't seem worth the effort. Use "O Ring" or "Impellor" lube if you do lube them, petroleum based lubes degrade O rings. I just pull and clean when it stops.

 

[chuckwayne]

yes and yes, You can use transducer paint - a thin coat - on the depth sender. paint the face and part way up the body - don't go up to the o-ring. On the speed sensor, use a small brush to paint the paddles and body, avoid the shaft for the paddles. Once dry, make sure the paddles spin freely. The O-rings should be greased lightly with silicone grease or any o-ring grease. It's important to use transducer paint because it's not metallic (like copper) based.
It stopped growth, but I usually had to pull the speed sensor anyway because little shrimplike critters like to shelter there...oh, well

 

[Terry Cox]

In our sea waters transducer paddle fouling seems to be a function of how often we sail. Other than coating the paddles with zinc oxide at haul out every seven years, pulling the transducer to clean the paddles, getting out regularly seems to keep it operating.

Sometimes it takes awhile before beginning to work, or other times rotating the transducer a bit back and forth will get it spinning again. So far this original 1991 unit still works. No reason at the moment to replace. Our chart plotter provides a better source of speed over ground, but always handy to know speed through the water.

 

[Nichole340]

I think I'll stay with the Paddlewheel in the boat. Even though the flapper does reduce the amount of sea water rushing in when I remove it, it's really not worth the trouble. I'm not setting any sea speed records here and the GPS Chart Plotter like Terry said is accurate.
I just have to remove both to clean off the extra paint residue around the edges and reinstall. The O rings should be fine but I will apply the impeller lube.
Thanks for the feedback and be safe everyone.

 

[Capt jgw]

I have tried everything I could imagine to keep the speed wheel clean, except removing the sensor whenever the boat was not moving. Every season I remove the wheel from the plug, clean all the gunk out, paint the wheel with Petit transducer paint, and loving reinstall prior to launch. It works for a couple of weeks, then it fouls again and stops. I go through the routine each year, then learn to live with the GPS speed over the bottom. I have Raymarine electronics and without the speed input from the wheel, the apparent/true wind reading provides only apparent as the speed wheel is used to calculate true wind.
Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Same experience with mine. Works for a week or two before it clogs up and quits again. I've tried transducer paint and regular bottom paint (VC-17 or Pettit SR-21) without much success.